Anthony Johnson to Mo Williams: Duck Next Time

Magic guard Anthony Johnson responded Monday to the "cheap shot"
accusations made by both Cleveland's LeBron James and Mo Williams after Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals in Orlando.

Johnson got called for a Flagrant I foul on his drive to the basket when he nailed Williams in the face with an elbow, opening a bloody, four-stitch cut on his face. Williams also was called for a personal foul.

"Duck next time," essentially was Johnson's message to Williams. There was no apology, no sense of remorse.

"Elbows are part of the game. Good and bad," Johnson said Monday at the Magic's practice facility. "Sometimes they turn out in a bad manner, but elbows are part of the game, as in hockey, as in other sports."

Williams, meanwhile, said there would be no retaliatory play when the series resumes Tuesday. The Magic lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1, after Sunday's victory. Williams also predicted – actually guaranteed – Monday that the Cavs still will win the series.

"They [Magic] are one of the four best teams still in the playoffs," Williams said. "We are the best team.''

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Williams spoke to the media at the team's hotel Monday. He was wearing dark sunglasses, which partially hid the bandages both below and above his eye where the cuts were located. He declined to remove the glasses to show the extent of the damage incurred by the blow.

"I look like Larry Holmes," he said.

The Cavs, the No. 1 seed in the East and with the best regular season record in the NBA, are facing a must-win game Tuesday, still trying to get more balance in their attack to provide enough help for James, who is averaging 41.7 points in the series.

The Magic, meanwhile, are licking their chops, knowing they can win this series just by winning their remaining home games.

"It's nothing personal," Johnson continued. "Just two teams trying to win and two competitors playing rough. I was totally surprised by the [flagrant] call. Like any series, it's gets testy, feisty. [Williams] has been making a lot of statements, but that's not how you win games. If we go up 3-1, we can put a stranglehold on this series."

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, meanwhile, bristled at the suggestion that Johnson's blow to the face of Williams was anything more than inadvertent. He said it's the Cavs who are trying to win by bending the rules.

"I'm upset at the number of times they are flopping," Van Gundy said. "Mo Williams and Ben Wallace are falling down more than a baby just learning to walk."

Latest NBA Playoff Photos

Orlando Magic forward Mickael Pietrus reacts after being fouled during action against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers, 99-89, at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, May 24, 2009. (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

MCT

Musical entertainers Usher, left, and Chris Brown share a conversation during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, of Lithuania, in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) throws down a dunk in front of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu, left, of Turkey, and Rashard Lewis congratulate each other at the end of the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

PGA golfer Tiger Woods watches Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, right, goes up for a shot past Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, of Lithuania, in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Musical entertainers Usher, left, and Chris Brown share a conversation during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left, and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard share a few words during a timeout in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Musical entertainer Usher, left, shows actor Chris Tucker his cell phone during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)